Page 56 of Forced Pregnant Mate

“I’ll have to wait for the bloods to come back, but all the symptoms and results are pointing at a hard yes right now. I’ll schedule another appointment for you in a week’s time, and we’ll get you an ultrasound and see how far along you are. Do you have any questions?”

I shake my head, feeling numb and detached from the situation. Sam looks overjoyed, and I wish I could share the feeling.

My whole life is about to change! What do I tell Jack? I know he wants kids, but with me? I’m only just learning how to be his wife. How can I be a mother, too?

The doctor gives me some information to read and lets us go. Sam is puzzled but waits until we get back to the car before asking me what’s wrong.

“Lena, are you okay?” he asks. “I thought you’d be pretty happy about this.”

“I am,” I whisper, tears beginning to prick at my eyes. “But soon, all my energy and time will be focused on my little one… not on you. Who is going to care for you, Sam?”

“Lena,” my brother turns to me and takes my hand, looking into my eyes with a gentle expression. “I’m almost out of high school. No one needs to take care of me. You protected me from Father and ultimately got me out of that situation. I’m free now to go to school, to study and shoot for the best grades so I can get into a good college.”

“But—”

“No buts. You’ve done enough by letting me crash with you and Jack and showing me what it feels like to have a real family.”

He leans over and pats my cheek, and for the first time, I realize my baby brother is practically grown up.

Maybe it’s time to let him go…

“I want you to be happy, Lena,” he says. “You’ve spent your whole life looking after me. You deserve happiness. You deserve to fill your life with love—your husband, your child, your new family. I can take care of myself, sis.”

Tears run down my cheeks now. I understand now that Sam wants his freedom, and he’s happy that I have a new family to be with when he leaves for college. He’s telling me he’s thankful for my care… but now he’s ready to go.

I touch his cheek, shaking my head.

“Okay then, baby brother. If you’re ready to go it alone, then so be it. I’ll never stop being scared for you, though. You have to talk to me every day after you move away and tell me what’s happening with you, or I’ll never be able to focus on my new life.”

Sam laughs softly. “I doubt that very much, but okay. I can check in every day and tell you how it’s going. No problem at all.”

I feel like a huge burden has been lifted from me, and the new responsibility I’ve been given isn’t a burden; it’s a gift. Suddenly, I’m full of love for my baby, and I can’t wait to meet this little person I’m about to bring into the world.

“I think that’s the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on your face,” Sam says, laughing. “Thinking about your kid?”

“Yes,” I answer, stroking my belly. “I don’t think I’ll be able to stop thinking about it.”

Realizing how much I want the baby reminds me that I have no idea how Jack will react. He will be tied to me, then, for good. After my family have caused so much trouble within the pack, maybe he won’t want me to be the mother of his child.

“Take me home, please,” I say to my brother. “I have to tell Jack.”

Maybe by the time we get there, I will have figured out what to say.

Chapter 22 - Jack

After I get back to work, the afternoon picks up and the whole place is extremely busy. It’s a shame that Sam is back at school and Lena is sick, we could use the extra help.

We end up finishing late, and I’m exhausted by the time I drive home. As I come inside, I’m surprised to see Sam is not there. I find Lena alone in the kitchen with a cup of tea, staring blankly at the table.

She looks up when she sees me, and her usual, eager expression is absent from her face. She looks drawn and tired, her eyes wide and almost sad.

My poor girl. She’s really unwell.

“Lena?” I ask, sitting down next to her. “Are you okay? Where’s Sam?”

“He went out with Jenks and some of the others. He wanted to give us some privacy.”

A nasty ache cramps my stomach. I feel like this is going to be big news, I just have no idea what it could be.

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